Model State Vital Statistics Act and Regulations from the CENTERS for DISEASE CONTROL and PREVENTION/National Center for Health Statistics
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From the CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION/National Center for Health Statistics 1992 Revision U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics Approved and Recommended by the Association for Vital Records and Health Statistics Centers for Disease Control and Prevention United States Public Health Service This document has also been submitted to the Council of State Governments for inclusion in Suggested State Legislation. At the time of publication, their action is pending. This revision replaces the 1977 Revision of the Model State Vital Statistics Act and Model State Vital Statistics Regulations (PHS 75-l 115). Model State Vital Statistics Act and Regulations From the CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION/National Center for Health Statistics 1992 Revision U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics Hyattsville, Maryland February 1994 DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 94-1115 National Center for Health Statistics Manning Feinleib, M.D., Dr.P.H., Director Jack R. Anderson, Deputy Director Jacob J. Feldman, Ph.D., Associate Director for Analysis and Epidemiology Gail F. Fisher, Ph.D., Associate Director for Planning and Extramural Programs Peter L. Hurley, Associate Director for Vital and Health Statistics Systems Robert A. Israel, Associate Director for International Statistics Stephen E. Nieberding, Associate Director for Management Charles J. Rothwell, Associate Director for Data Processing and Services Monroe G. Sirken, Ph.D., Associate Director for Research and Methodology Division of Vital Statistics Lester R. Curtin, Ph.D., Acting Director James A. Weed, Ph.D., Deputy Director George A. Gay, Chief; Registration Methods Branch Preface The U.S. vital registration and statistics system exemplifies cooperation between the Federal and State Government at its best. Even though the legal responsibility for the registration of vital events rests with the individual States, the States and the National Center for Health Statistics (the Federal partner) work together to build a uniform system that produces records to satisfy the legal requirements of individuals and their families and also to meet statistical and research needs at the local, State, and national levels. The cooperation includes the development and promotion of standard certificates and reporting forms, training and quality control programs, and model legislation. This is the fifth revision of the Model State Vital Statistics Act (the first was in 1907) and the second revision of the Model State Vital Statistics Regulations (the first was in 1977). The Model Act and Regulations provide detailed guidance to State registrars of vital statistics and State legislators who are considering revision of their own State vital statistics laws and regulations. The Model Act and Regulations serve to promote uniformity among States in definitions, registration practices, disclosure and issuance procedures, and in many other functions that comprise a State system of vital statistics. A major goal of this revision of the Model Act and Regulations is to ensure the vital statistics laws allow States to easily incorporate technological advances in records and information management. Special emphasis was given to the language within the revision in order that it can serve as a model for the next 10-15 years. The wording used will allow States to make use of emerging technology that will continue to impact the vital statistics system without having to change their law. In developing this revision, input was sought not only from State vital records and statistics offices but also from other persons and organizations, including Federal agencies, which have an interest in the registration system either as a source of legal records or a source of statistical data. The expert testimony and comments from these interested persons and organizations provided invaluable assistance in developing the revision and should help guarantee that the vital statistics system continues to serve the interests of its many users, especially the general public. Working Group to Revise the Model State Vital Statistics Act and Model State Vital Statistics Regulations Chairperson Mrs. Paula M. Taylor State Registrar Tennessee Department of Health Members Mr. Henry C. Robinson, Jr. Director, Division of Vital Records and State Registrar Arkansas Department of Health Mr. David Mitchell Chief, Health Data and Statistics Branch, and Chief, Office of State Registrar California Department of Health Services Mrs. Julie D. Biddy Deputy Director, Vital Records Service Georgia Department of Human Resources Mr. Steven L. Perry Deputy State Registrar Illinois Department of Health Mr. Frederick L. King State Registrar Minnesota Department of Health Mr. Charles E. Sirc State Registrar and Chief New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics Ms. Jacquelyn S. Dickman April 1990–February 1991 Assistant General Counsel South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Ms. Mary Lloyd Lowe January 1991–July 1992 Staff Counsel Illinois Department of Health Resource staff Mr. George A. Gay Chief, Registration Methods Branch Division of Vital Statistics National Center for Health Statistics Ms. Julia L. Kowaleski Statistician Registration Methods Branch Division of Vital Statistics National Center for Health Statistics iv Acknowledgment The Working Group Would Like to Thank the Following Organizations That Provided Input to the Revision Testimony heard: American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators American Bar Association American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists American Council of Life Insurance American Health Information Management Association (formerly, American Medical Record Association) American Medical Association Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Surveillance and Epidemiology Dow Chemical Company Immigration and Naturalization Service International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners Medical Ethicists - George Washington University National Association of Medical Examiners National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws National Funeral Directors Association National Genealogical Society National Medical Association Social Security Administration, Office of Retirement and Survivors Benefits State Department, Office of Fraud Prevention Programs University of Maryland, Journalism Department Written input received: American Hospital Association Association of State and Territorial Health Officials-Epidemiology affiliate (Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists) U.S. Office of Child Support Enforcement Contents Preface .............................................................................................. iii Working group to revise the model State vital statistics act and model State vital statistics regulations. ........... iv Acknowledgment ...................................................................................... V l. Definitions ........................................................................................ 2 2. Office of vital statistics and statewide system of vital statistics. ........................................... 2 3. Regulations ....................................................................................... 2 4. Appointment of State registrar of vital statistics ....................................................... 3 5. Duties of State registrar ........................................................... ................ 3 6. Content of certificates and reports ................................................................... 3 7. Birth registration................................................................................... 3 8. Infants of unknown parentage; foundling registration ................................................... 4 9. Delayed registration of birth. ........................................................................ 5 10. Judicial procedure to establish facts of birth .......................................................... 5 11. Certificates of adoption ............................................................................. 6 12. Certificates of birth following adoption, legitimation, court determination of paternity, and paternity acknowledgment ................................................................................... 6 13. Death registration ................................................................................. 7 14. Delayed registration of death. ....................................................................... 8 15. Reports of fetal death .............................................................................. 8 16. Reports of induced termination of pregnancy .......................................................... 9 17. Vital reports ...................................................................................... 9 18. Authorization for final disposition .................................................................... 9 19. Marriage registration ............................................................................... 9 20. (Divorce, dissolution of marriage, or annulment) registration ............................................ 10 21. Amendment of vital records ........................................................................